Powerful deployment from multiple fronts by the Armada on the first day of the Dutch Futures, a tournament of the HotelPlanner Tour held at The Dutch, a course that has hosted the DP World Tour three times, where Joost Luiten, Ashun Wu, and Romain Wattel have won. It debuts in the second division. The Spaniards are not leading, but they have several contenders in the leading group of a long race that has just begun.
Lucas Vacarisas (-3) and Santi Tarrio (-3) are setting the pace on a demanding course, under challenging conditions, where birdies are not exactly being handed out. They are in fourth position, just two shots off the solo lead held by veteran Northern Irishman Dermot McElroy (-5). The rounds of Vacarisas and Tarrio have been very similar. A good production of birdies and few mistakes. Lucas only made one bogey, while Santi’s card saw only two. A start any player would sign for.
Trailing Vacarisas and Tarrio are the diligent and well-positioned Borja Virto (-2) and David Borda (-2). Navarre blood on the shores of the top 10. Twelfth place. Here the rounds have been more different. A rollercoaster of birdies and bogeys for Borda (6 and 4) and a more controlled round for Virto, with just one bogey and three birdies. Either way, perfectly positioned at the start of the action.
There are two more Spaniards placed within the provisional cut. They are Quim Vidal (PAR) and Álvaro Hernández Cabezuela (+1), who maintains the positive momentum from the top 10 achieved last week. The best Spaniard on the Road to Mallorca also had a lively round, with many birdies and some stumbles. In any case, a good result, just five shots off the lead. That should be the target to aim for at this moment.
From here, the good news of this Thursday ends. The rest will have to grit their teeth and bring out their best golf this Friday to play all four days. Asier Aguirre (+3), Víctor Pastor (+3), and Alejandro Aguilera (+3) are two shots off the cut, while further back are Sebas García (+4), Víctor García Broto (+5), and Álvaro Quirós (+7).
Beyond the Spaniards, it’s worth highlighting the second place of Euan Walker (-4) and Nathan Lengendre (-4). The latter, French, continues to seek the great result that will propel him in a somewhat stalled season. It is his first in the HotelPlanner Tour. Additionally, it’s worth noting the presence of Daniel Van Tonder (-3) at the top. Let’s not forget that the South African, if he wins another tournament on this circuit, will ascend directly to the DP World Tour.
